Feb. 28, 2009

Box Score

COLUMBUS, Ohio. - In previous seasons the Flyers made their name at the net, more often than not out-blocking their opponents. However in 2009 Lewis had yet to record a dominating performance at the net, until Saturday night. Lewis out-blocked defending Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association champion No. 15 Ohio State 17-11.5 to push the Flyers to a 3-1 (30-22, 30-25, 29-31, 31-29) victory at St. John Arena.

"We've been working on our blocking for the past month and it really came together tonight," head coach Dan Friend said. "We gave the guys a scouting report and they lined up and executed it."

The biggest block of the night came on match point. Senior Alex Vigansky (Kenosha, Wis./Tremper) recorded a solo block to give Lewis their 31st point and the win.

Lewis controlled most of the opening set. The Flyers finished the set strong thanks in part to the serving of freshman Aaron Flick (Strongville, Ohio/St. Edward). Subbed in to serve with the score 26-22, he delivered an ace on his first serve and then served the next three that all resulted in points for the Flyers and an opening set victory.

Lewis held leads of 8-3, 14-11 and 21-18 in the third set before the Buckeyes rallied to tie it at 21. A Lewis timeout paused Ohio State's momentum and helped the Flyers tally the next three points. Junior Nathan Klaas (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) had a kill and a block assist during the three-point spurt. Another Klaas kill made it 26-22 and all but ended any hopes the Buckeyes had in the second.

Much like the second set, the Flyers had leads of 10-5, 18-15 and 27-23 in the third set before the defending conference champions came alive. The Buckeyes went on a 9-2 run to take the set and force a fourth.

The fourth set was a barnburner, featuring 19 ties and five lead changes. However it was the Buckeyes doing the chasing for most of the set, holding their last lead at 12-11. Ohio State tied it 10 times during the final stretch of the contest but were turned away by Lewis each time they tried to get over the hump.

With the score tied at 29, following an Ohio State kill on Lewis' first match point, Klaas delivered a kill to make it 30-29. Lewis took advantage of the second match point to finish off the Buckeyes with Vigansky's clutch block.

Senior Drew Pickering (Wauwatosa, Wis./Wauwatosa West) led Lewis with 21 kills and seven digs. Vigansky finished with 11 kills and eight blocks (one solo). Junior setter Mike Iandolo (Orlando, Fla./Long Beach State) had 60 assists for an average of 15 per set, and recorded six digs with five blocks (one solo).

"Alex had the winning block but he also stepped up offensively," Friend said. "Mike moved the ball around and set up some nice opportunities."

Klaas notched a double-double of 16 kills, 10 digs and seven block assists. Senior libero Nick Perakes (Orlando, Fla./Cypress Creek) added 14 digs.

The Flyers hit .293 to Ohio State's .209.

Lewis hands Ohio State their first conference loss of the season as they fall to 7-7 (4-1 MIVA). Lewis improves to 11-3 (3-1 MIVA). The Flyers play at UC Santa Cruz on Wednesday.